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Has anyone figured out how to keep the glove box unlocked so I dont always have to open with the key, even with the key it takes about 5 minutes, seems the key slips from the spot it needs to be unlocked and i have to play with it over and over....sometimes its embarassing when theres females in the car

Whenever it takes me five minutes to get it in when ladies are present I get embarrassed too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnrando

There are 3 settings I believe. One is lock/unlock with the car. One is locked so manually you have to unlock. The other is unlocked all the time. I'm not 100% sure. So, they (the keyhole position) would be either horizon right, horizontal left, or vertical.

I believe horizontal-left is always open. The problem mine had (before it got broken) was that it'd often rotate itself a few degrees. For a while that meant I had to shut the car off and open it, which was annoying, but as it turns out I can just stick another key in there to turn it those last few degrees from 10:00 to 9:00. Or could, anyway. I assume that a newer tumbler mechanism wouldn't have that issue...

So the lock is stuck? Try fvcking the lock with the key. (Sorry, but when I describe it, that's what people say it sounds like). In other words, insert the key slowly, gently, and turn it very carefully in every direction (full right, full left, whatever) to see if it opens. If not, try pushing it in hard and turning it hard right, left, whatever (order doesn't matter) to see if that works. Do it multiple times, trying different depths and force. Mine was stuck and seemingly would never open, and finally after just trying every sort of touch/turn, it finally budged.

If it opens, tighten the screws on the inside, which is usually the culprit. I'll post some pics if I get a chance tomorrow.

Thanks for this, you saved me a lot of time just tightening the screws to fix my problem. If I had not read this I would have taken the whole thing apart for no reason!

Yeah slightly old post here but mine has gotten stuck before and I have taken it apart and messed with it a few times and then it works for a while then it stops. I considered buying new parts. The parts diagrams and numbers can be found on RealOEM.com. I priced out the parts in AutohausAZ, and they end up being costly, like $50 for one and I think $90 for the other. It would appear that I only need the outside handle, or the handle part. The key barrel comes out and swaps. If you are having problems with the trunk then I think that is the rear part or the one on the inside of the glove box since there is an electrical connector in there.

I had the same problem with the glovebox refusing to open sometimes, then it started making a HORRIBLE screech every time I locked the car. Typical overly complex, under-engineered BMW design.

I undid the latch screws, separated the two halves of the latch and just disconnected the wire to the power lock in the glovebox. Problem solved. Latch has not stuck since. And I confirmed that the trunk button does not work with the car turned off.

Pete, here's a closer photo of what's left. With and without flash. I really have no idea what to do. And now I think I blew a fuse for my BM53. Right before I need to go on a long trip. And I can't get at the fuse box.

I'd REALLY love to know how to get this thing open. (But also then closed again until I get a replacement)

OK, that wasn't actually all that hard. And it wasn't the fuses... my BM53 is just flat dead now. (Awesome!) But at least I solved one issue...

Long flat screwdriver to pry down the top, unscrew the three philips heads, reach in with your hand or a screwdriver and hit the triangular mechanism, it opens. Then from there you learn that the metal L piece there angles UP - so push it towards 1:30/2:00 on a clock... and that's how your glove box mechanism works. I'll just need a new handle, to swap lock tumblers, and to re-splice the broken wires on the thing that presumably runs to the car power and locks the trunk. And now it's unlocked (the black plastic bits behind and left of the L are the lock/unlock slider) and I can just move the L when I need to get in.

Good work. Sorry I haven't had a chance to check on my parts to see what I have, it was my (extremely) busy time of year at work. I'll see what I have this weekend now that I've been able to come up for air.